Promising Night Ends Up With Disappointment at New Smyrna

After qualifying with his personal best time at New Smyrna Speedway to date, Matt had high hopes of contending for a win at the Red Eye 100. He qualified 6th, just a tenth off of the pole. “The car was the best I’ve had here, and I thought we had a real chance for a win tonight” Matt stated before the race. Unfortunately, on the start Matt spun while the field was getting the green flag and was collected by another car, peeling off the drivers side body work as well as inflicting suspension damage, ending the night for the 15 year old.

“Something really strange happened and the car took a turn toward the infield, it all happened so quick” , a disappointed Matt later said. Later it was discovered that the drive shaft had broken while under the pressure of a slow start, getting up through the gears quickly. Matt and the BJ McLeod Motoprsports team will now prepare for the Super Late Model 100 at Punta Gorda Speedway, January 21. It’ll be Matt’s first time at the facility near Port Charlotte, FL. Then its back to New Smyrna February 11th for the Pete Orr Memorial /Orange Blossom 100 where the team is highly anticipating a successful return after many Top 5’s at the track in 2011.